Joseph J. Hanson

Joe Hanson was born in Philadelphia, PA, in 1926 and died November 18, 2017 in Wilmington, DE on at the age of 91.  Almost all of his working life was in print media including 33 years when he was employed by the News Journal papers in Wilmington, DE.

Shortly after graduation from Northeast Catholic High School in Philadelphia in 1943, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served most of the last year of World War Two aboard the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CV6) in the Pacific Theater operations against Japan.

After WWII Joe earned a degree from Temple University and began working for the Philadelphia Record, then the Philadelphia Evening Bulletin and then the Hearst International News Service before being hired by the Wilmington Morning News in 1958 as a copy editor.

In 1961 he wed the former Mary Jane Curry of Chester Pa., and they began 43 years of a very happily married life until Mary Jane's death in 2004.

Joe retired from the News Journal in 1991, his last 18 years with the editorial page staff.  Joe was a volunteer in various activities including at the Alfred I duPont Hospital for Children and as a long-time lector at St. Ann's Church in Wilmington.  Joe was a member of the Board for Sister Cities of Wilmington.

For years, Joe was a regular Saturday morning golfer at the Rock Manor course, completing a foursome of very early risers.
Joe was also an avid runner, who ran at least a mile every day for many years and competed in local 5K races and half-marathons. When he finally achieved a mature status, he began walking at least a mile daily.
Joe was a founding member, Officer and Communications Director for the International Scrapple Institute. He was also a loyal and founding member of the Monday Seminar & Metaphysical Society, whose members mourn his passing.

In 2010, he married the former Janice S. Kelley, whom he called the "wonderful love" of his life and who survives him.  Joe and Janice were proud members of the Henry Clay Historical Society.  

His beloved sister, Mrs. Marie Keifer of Philadelphia, proceeded him in death.

He is survived by his loving wife Janice, step-daughters Leslie Goberdhansingh (Kanhai) and Sharon Koppenhaver (Dave) and step-son Robert Kelley (Barbro); step-granddaughters  Paige Koppenhaver and Maeve Kelley and step-grandsons Davis Koppenhaver and Hugh Kelley. He is also survived by his niece Kathleen Lagomarsino (Bob); nephews Vincent Keifer and George Keifer (Catherine) and cousin Dolores Gallagher. 

The Family would like to thank Jaclyn Panaccione for the loving care she always gave to Joe.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Ann's Church, Union Street and Gilpin Avenue in Wilmington at 11:00 AM on December 1, 2017.  There will be no viewing and cremation and interment will be private.

 In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to St. Ann's Parish, 2013 Gilpin Avenue, Wilmington, DE 19806.

Joe's alter-ego and collaborator, Nesbit the mystical lagomorph, became visible for the last time, with a wry smile and a tear in his eye, to say, "Goodbye Old Friend, this Bud's on me."

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